It’s official now. The covid health crisis ends with the repeal of the last measure that was in force in the citizen sphere, the end of the obligation to wear masks in all spaces where it was still mandatory.
Yesterday the Council of Ministers approved the report of the Ministry of Health that eliminates the obligation to use this piece in health centers, health centers, pharmacies, in nursing homes (workers and visitors) and hospitals They will only be required, as before the pandemic, in those areas where there are oncological and immunocompromised patients, in operating theaters and in ICUs.
Three years later, the mask is history. It has gone from being longed for by many in the first months when there was not enough – and which led all countries to search in a market where there was no shortage of opportunists – to being reviled by the majority as the waves of pandemic were losing strength.
Bye now. The decree that imposed the obligation has lapsed, although it is still recommended to avoid contagion of any respiratory virus in the population with symptoms and in the immunocompromised. Health, however, is reminded that it is mandatory until the rule is published in the BOE, which is expected between today and tomorrow.
But experts warn: “Keep the ones you have, don’t throw them away.” Because the covid pandemic has taught us that viral threats are here and that you never know when there will be another health crisis. Something that everyone takes for granted as a result of globalization and climate change.
“I think it’s a day to remember those who lost their lives and their families. And thanks to the health workers, the essential workers, the administrations and the ministers” who had to deal with this pandemic (Salvador Illa and Carolina Darias), indicated José Miñones, current Minister of Health. Miñones recalled the long journey of covid, the declaration of a pandemic (March 2020), the state of alarm, vaccination (December of that year)… A journey of 1,207 days in which thousands have died tens of thousands of people still suffer from the effects of this disease.
Four months ago, on February 8, Spain ceased to be the only country in Europe that maintained the mandatory use of masks on public transport. This withdrawal took place almost a year after its use was no longer mandatory abroad, a measure that was approved on February 10, 2022, and a few months later (April 20, 2022) that it is no longer use in interior spaces.
